Recruitment slows down as employers adopt a cautious outlook for the upcoming year.

In December, U.S. employers added only 50,000 jobs, falling short of expectations, while the unemployment rate decreased to 4.4%. Economic conditions, including high tariffs and reduced immigration, have negatively impacted labor demand and supply. A report indicated a significant rise in job cuts, with a total of 1.2 million layoffs in 2025, largely driven by government actions and the tech sector. Despite a slight decrease in announced layoffs in December, experts caution against overinterpretation, as companies often avoid layoffs during the holiday season.